Time Travel: Volume 1! Starting from a Small Mountain Village

In fact, the moment Miao Dashan uttered those meaningful words, Lin Guodong had already begun to speculate about the possible candidates. However, despite having some guesses, he couldn't suppress his curiosity and desire to verify them.

"Old Lin, we've been buddies for years. Do you think I don't know what you're thinking?" Miao Dashan grinned, a sly glint in his eyes, then his gaze slowly swept over everyone present.

"Yes, that's right, I'm talking about Long Zhiqing! Actually, to be honest, I had this thought in my mind as early as when Long Zhiqing resolutely refused Secretary Ma and gave up her university spot. This trip to the county town, she worked so hard for our village, which made me feel even worse and ashamed."

As soon as he said this, Lin Guodong and Accountant Zhou, who had accompanied him to the county town the day before, involuntarily lowered their heads. They recalled how Long, the educated youth, had argued vehemently and tirelessly at the farmers' market, all to secure more benefits for the village. His persistence and tenacity filled them with both admiration and self-reproach.

Thinking back to themselves, yesterday, it was almost entirely Long Zhiqing who was negotiating, while the two of them were just there as background characters, unable to even get a word in edgewise.

"Old Miao, are you really sure about this..."

Lin Guodong frowned, his mind reeling. Two voices clashed in his head. One said, "Old Miao has worked hard for so many years. Even if he hasn't made any great contributions, he has certainly put in the effort. How can we let him retire so easily?" The other countered, "But Long Zhiqing is undoubtedly the more suitable candidate in terms of ability, awareness, and character. For the future of the village, a change must be made."

He looked at Miao Dashan, his eyes filled with conflict. Miao Dashan caught his gaze, a complex emotion flashing across his face. So many years as the village secretary had given him a deep affection for the position, and stepping down suddenly naturally filled him with reluctance. However, for the overall benefit of the village, for a brighter future, he had to make a choice.

Miao Dashan took a deep breath, his eyes gradually hardening. He nodded heavily, as if speaking to Lin Guodong, and also to himself: "It's time for younger, more capable people to take the reins."

At that moment, he seemed to see the village, under the leadership of Long Zhiqing, marching towards a more prosperous tomorrow. And he himself would continue to protect this land and its people in another way.

The afternoon sun was still hanging low in the sky, and it wasn't time to finish work yet, when suddenly a rapid and loud gong sounded in the courtyard of the brigade headquarters.

The sound of the gong seemed to possess a magical power, instantly shattering the tranquility of the village and rallying the hearts of everyone present. Whether they were villagers working in the fields, educated youth at work, women busy taking care of their children at home, or elderly and frail folks, all were summoned by the gong and gathered at the brigade headquarters.

Miao Dashan even personally arranged for people to carry the elderly villagers with mobility issues to the brigade headquarters one by one. He did this so that, in front of the entire village, he could solemnly hand over the power he had held for many years to Long Zhiqing, thus beginning a new chapter for the village.

At this moment, the square in front of the brigade headquarters was packed with people, a scene even more lively than when pigs were slaughtered for the New Year. People were shoulder to shoulder, foot to foot, a dense, bustling crowd. The scene was filled with noise; villagers gathered in small groups, their voices rising and falling, all speculating about what major event had occurred to gather the entire village here.

The group of former educated youth looked bewildered in the crowd. Some of them had been in the countryside for several years and had experienced many things, but this was the first time they had ever seen everyone gathered together like this. They looked at each other, filled with doubt and unease.

The new educated youth seemed relatively relaxed, snacking as they followed behind Long Lifan, curiously observing everything around them.

Seeing this, Hu Lili couldn't help but ask Long Lifan, "Sister Fan, do you know what happened?"

Long Lifan shook her head, her gaze falling on the village officials on the platform. She noticed a serious expression on their faces, which made her wonder to herself.

"Everyone, please be quiet for a moment..." Seeing that the time was right, Lin Guodong took a few steady steps forward and stood on the high platform. He cleared his throat, and his loud voice resonated throughout the room:

"Our Dongwan Village has over 1200 people, young and old, plus the educated youth who went to the countryside. We've all gathered here today. I know everyone is curious and eager to know why we've been called together… but please be patient, we will give you a clear explanation later. Now, let's hear from our Party Secretary Miao…"

As soon as he finished speaking, Miao Dashan slowly walked to the front. His gaze was deep, and his voice was filled with emotion: "As everyone knows, I, Miao Dashan, am an outsider. Back then, I came to Dongwan Village by fleeing famine and begging for food. It was this land that gave me a place to stay."

"Later, I was even more fortunate to become the Party Secretary of Dongwan Village. To be honest, after serving as Party Secretary for so many years, I have failed to lead everyone to a prosperous life, and I feel deeply ashamed..."

Hearing his candor, the crowd below began to whisper and murmur among themselves. Everyone knew what kind of person Secretary Miao was after so many years as village secretary. He was fair and impartial, always putting the villagers' interests first; everyone acknowledged that.

Miao Dashan stood quietly, the villagers' recognition and praise echoing in his ears, yet a deep melancholy welled up within him. He knew that he had failed to fully repay the villagers for their trust and expectations. He raised his hand, gesturing gently for everyone to quiet down, and then his voice, deep and resonant, slowly rose:

"Hearing everyone's recognition of me makes me feel even more ashamed. Over the years, although I have tried my best, I have failed to lead everyone out of poverty and into a truly good life." He paused, his gaze fixed firmly on the distance. "As the saying goes, a train runs fast because of its locomotive. What our Dongwan Village lacks is a capable and motivated leader to guide us toward a better future."

"However, heaven rewards those who persevere, and our village has finally found such a leader, and that is Long Zhiqing." Miao Dashan pointed to the direction of Long Lifan in the crowd as he spoke, and continued, "Therefore, I have decided to step down and hand over the position of village secretary to Long Zhiqing."

“Long Zhiqing is capable, conscientious, and full of energy. I believe that under her leadership, our Dongwan Village will surely open a new chapter and move towards a prosperous and strong life.”